FC Barcelona has made a drastic decision regarding Ter Stegen. After he refused to authorize sending his medical information to LaLiga, the club hasn't minced words.
TV3 has revealed that Barça has decided to immediately strip him of the captaincy. He has an open disciplinary file after what happened, and it is considered that he can't be part of the group of captains. Hansi Flick is aware of the decision from the highest levels and will support it from the bench, exercising his "veto right" for the captaincy.
Ter Stegen, farewell to the captaincy
The relationship between Barça and Ter Stegen has taken a drastic turn. Renewed until 2028 and with one of the highest salaries on the squad, the still-captain has been practically sidelined. He will keep getting paid, and when he recovers, he will be able to keep training... but he won't be included in Hansi Flick's squad lists.
His attitude in recent months hasn't been well received. First, with all competitions at stake and just recovered from his serious injury, he publicly pressured to regain his starting spot. Then, angry, he refused to travel back from the Champions League semifinals in Milan to support his teammates. Meanwhile, he also didn't want to speak in front of the fans at Montjuïc after winning La Liga.
In between, he was drafted by Germany for the Nations League, worsening his back problems and relapsing from his injury. As if that weren't enough, he recently started a public standoff with FC Barcelona, stating that he would only be out for 3 months (3 meses) to complicate the registration of his teammates.
Plenty of reasons
Barça believe they have plenty of reasons to prevent Ter Stegen from remaining the first team's captain. His attitude, they believe, has harmed the club's interests, and he can't continue wearing the armband for even one more second. Today Hansi Flick will tell everyone, and the idea is to start a new vote in the locker room.
The new first captain, expected to be either Araújo or Frenkie de Jong, will wear the armband this Sunday at Johan Cruyff, for the Joan Gamper Trophy. He will give a speech in front of the fans. The same speech that Ter Stegen refused to give after winning La Liga...